Sul meccanismo di azione della streptomicina

Summary A study was undertaken on the variations of the redox potential level produced by streptomycinin vitro andin vivo. We have been able to show that, owing to an oxidative effect, streptomycin produces an increase of the redox potential level. This oxidative effect varies in degree according to the condition of the patient.We also found that in the blood and in the spinal fluid of patients suffering from tubercular meningitis factors are present which inhibit the action of streptomycin.The results of our findings lead to the conclusion that the dose of streptomycin must be varied according to the condition of the patient if the constant level required for an efficient therapy is to be maintained in the blood and in the spinal fluid.     

Die Wirkung von synthetischen Antihistaminkörpern auf die Senfölchemosis am Kaninchenauge

Summary Intravenous or subcutaneous administration of pyribenzamine and other antihistaminics is able to decrease, and to delay the appearance of chemosis produced by mustard oils in the eye of the rabbit. Simultaneously occurring vascular reactions, on the other hand, are but slightly affected by antihistaminics. Intravenous or subcutaneous administration of rutin has no clear-cut effect on chemosis; it is however able to inhibit the vascular reaction.     

Neuere Anschauungen über die Meteorologie und Klimatologie des Föhns

Summary The results of new researches about the föhn in the Swiss Alps in connection with the theory ofH. von Ficker show that the energy of the cyclonic föhn has two sources: the pressure gradient and the baroclinic field. This is caused by the isobaric differences of temperature between the Alps and the free atmosphere in the lee. The result is a current with a descending component in the lee. At the beginning, the descent of the föhn is due to the outstreaming of the cold air on the ground. In its further development the energy of the föhn increases so much as to sweep the cold air off the valleys.The development of föhn in an anticyclonic system ist also explained. Furthermore the two kinds of föhn are discussed in regard to their climatological influences.

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Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos.     

Die Biologische Station in Lunz

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Zur Frage der Natur der Ablagerungen in den Gichtknoten

Summary A gout-tophus, which we examined by X-rays and micro-crystallographic methods was definitely proved to be a deposit of monosodiumurate-monohydrate in the form of crystals which could just be detected under the microscope.     

Studies into the association between LDL-C lowering and cognitive function:time to forget about it?

Lipid lowering is the cornerstone in the prevention of cardiovas-cular disease(CVD),which is based on a plethora of data bolstering the causal role of low-densi...     

Laccases of prokaryotic origin: enzymes at the interface of protein science and protein technology

The ubiquitous members of the multicopper oxidase family of enzymes oxidize a range of aromatic substrates such as polyphenols, methoxy-substituted phenols, amines and inorganic compounds, concomitantly with the reduction of molecular dioxygen to water. This family of enzymes can be broadly divided into two functional classes: metalloxidases and laccases. Several prokaryotic metalloxidases have been described in the last decade showing a robust activity towards metals, such as Cu(I), Fe(II) or Mn(II) and have been implicated in the metal metabolism of the corresponding microorganisms. Many laccases, with a superior efficiency for oxidation of organic compounds when compared with metals, have also been identified and characterized from prokaryotes, playing roles that more closely conform to those of intermediary metabolism. This review aims to present an update of current knowledge on prokaryotic multicopper oxidases, with a special emphasis on laccases, anticipating their enormous potential for industrial and environmental applications.     

Adaptation in the innate immune system and heterologous innate immunity

The innate immune system recognizes deviation from homeostasis caused by infectious or non-infectious assaults. The threshold for its activation seems to be established by a calibration process that includes sensing of microbial molecular patterns from commensal bacteria and of endogenous signals. It is becoming increasingly clear that adaptive features, a hallmark of the adaptive immune system, can also be identified in the innate immune system. Such adaptations can result in the manifestation of a primed state of immune and tissue cells with a decreased activation threshold. This keeps the system poised to react quickly. Moreover, the fact that the innate immune system recognizes a wide variety of danger signals via pattern recognition receptors that often activate the same signaling pathways allows for heterologous innate immune stimulation. This implies that, for example, the innate immune response to an infection can be modified by co-infections or other innate stimuli. This “design feature” of the innate immune system has many implications for our understanding of individual susceptibility to diseases or responsiveness to therapies and vaccinations. In this article, adaptive features of the innate immune system as well as heterologous innate immunity and their implications are discussed.